Strategic Communications Leader
Stories create connection.Connection creates impact.
I help mission-driven organizations strengthen their brands, build trusted relationships, and advance strategic priorities through communications and storytelling.
What I Do
Communications that move people from awareness to action.
- 01
Strategic Communications
Integrated communications, executive messaging and strategies that turn organizational priorities into clear, compelling narratives.
- 02
Storytelling & Content
Editorial strategy and human-centered storytelling that bring people, ideas and organizational impact to life.
- 03
Brand & Reputation
Brand stewardship, thought leadership and integrated communications that strengthen visibility, credibility and trust.
- 04
Advancement & Engagement
Communications and experiences that deepen relationships with donors, alumni, partners and communities.
Selected Work · 2026
A selection of recent work across communications, storytelling and engagement.
A curated selection of recent 2026 projects spanning communications, institutional storytelling, editorial strategy, engagement and advancement.
05
Student Emergency Fund
Fundraising Communications · Campaign Strategy · Storytelling
Independently led communications supporting PAU's Student Emergency Fund, developing donor-centered messaging and storytelling designed to connect audiences with student needs and inspire philanthropic support.
06
Digital Communications & Web Strategy
Digital Strategy · Web · Email · Content Governance
Helped modernize PAU's web and email communications through digital strategy, HubSpot implementation, content governance, accessibility and improved workflows, creating a more consistent institutional experience across channels.
How I Work
Start with the audience.Understand what matters.Find the story.Build the connection.
I believe strong communications begin with understanding people: what they care about, what they need to know and what will move them to engage. From there, I connect organizational priorities with audience needs to develop communications that are clear, relevant and meaningful.
Engagement & Experiences
Creating experiences that bring people together — and give the story somewhere to begin.
From community conversations and milestone celebrations to commencement and service initiatives, I have developed communications and engagement strategies that connect people with an organization’s mission in meaningful, memorable ways.
My work spans audience strategy, messaging, promotion, content development, event communications, community engagement and post-event storytelling — extending the value of an experience beyond the moment itself.
Community Engagement
Youth Mental Health & Technology: What Parents Need to Know
At the Forefront series · In partnership with Mountain View Whisman School District
Event Communications · Community Engagement · Storytelling
Conceived the community event and led the communications, promotion and engagement strategy supporting it.
Institutional Experience
Commencement 2026
The Mountain Winery · Saratoga, California
Event Support · Institutional Communications · Editorial Storytelling
Supported planning and day-of execution while leading editorial storytelling, including interviews and feature content highlighting the commencement speaker and graduating community.
Community Impact
Community Service Day
In partnership with LifeMoves · Mountain View
Event Strategy · Community Engagement · Communications · Experience Design
Independently planned and executed the community service initiative from concept through delivery, leading event logistics, partner coordination, communications, creative development and the overall participant experience.
Storytelling & Editorial
Finding the human story behind the work.
I interview faculty, students, alumni and institutional leaders to uncover the people, ideas and impact behind an organization and translate those stories into compelling editorial content for digital, print and advancement audiences.
Research & Thought Leadership
Rethinking the Future of Mental Health Care: Beyond the 50 Minute Session
Read Story
Alumni Profile
Caring for the Caregivers
Read Story
Feature Story
How Play Is Reshaping the Way Some PAU Faculty Teach
Read Story
Faculty Profile
Dr. Sita Patel: Advancing Global Mental Health Through Community-Based Research
Read Story
Student & Research Story
Nationally Recognized Student Research Is Helping Shape Institutional Improvement at PAU
Read Story
Alumni Story
Learning to Show Up: The Work Behind Becoming a Therapist
Read Story
About Adriana
I believe the best communications start with understanding people.
My work sits at the intersection of strategy, storytelling and human connection. With nearly eight years of experience in higher education communications and a background in psychology and social action, I've built my career around understanding what matters to people and translating that insight into communications that strengthen brands, deepen relationships and move institutional priorities forward.
My experience spans strategic communications, editorial storytelling, brand and reputation, executive communications, digital strategy, advancement communications and engagement. Across each of those areas, I bring the same approach: understand the audience, find the story and create communications that give people a reason to care.
“Adriana sees angles that others may not see because she takes the time to understand the context, the people, and the larger opportunity behind a story. She doesn’t simply ask what we should communicate. She asks what we are really trying to accomplish and how communications can help us get there.”
Carlie Belmodis
Director of Brand, Communications and Engagement
Former Manager
Contact
Let's build somethingmeaningful.
I'm interested in strategic communications, storytelling, brand, advancement communications and engagement opportunities with organizations doing work that matters.
- linkedin.com/in/adrianamelean
- Resume
- Resume